Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, will organise a two-day Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Zonal Conference-cum-Stakeholder Consultation and Progress Review Workshop on January 19–20, 2026, at the Auditorium Hall of Symbiosis Skill and Professional University, Pune, Maharashtra.
The Conference will bring together representatives from 152 Jan Shikshan Sansthans across 11 States and Union Territories, along with officials from MSDE, the Directorate of Jan Shikshan Sansthan (DJSS), the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), and other key stakeholders involved in the implementation of the JSS Scheme.
The Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by MSDE through non-governmental organisations, focusing on non-formal vocational training for non-literate, neo-literate individuals, school dropouts, and marginalised sections of society. The Scheme places special emphasis on women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, and other disadvantaged groups. Currently, 294 JSSs are operational across 26 States and 7 Union Territories, offering training in 51 NSQF-aligned courses and supporting grassroots-level livelihood creation.
As of December 31, 2025, the JSS Scheme has trained over 34 lakh beneficiaries, including 28.3 lakh women, underscoring its strong focus on women-led development. Training delivery is largely undertaken at the doorstep level through sub-centres, particularly in aspirational districts, tribal regions, left-wing extremism affected areas, border regions, and remote locations.
The Pune Conference will serve as a key institutional platform to review the physical and financial progress of participating JSSs during FY 2025–26, undertake structured stakeholder consultations on policy and implementation challenges, strengthen capacities of JSS functionaries, and identify demand-driven and emerging skill areas, including the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools.
The Conference will also feature thematic capacity-building sessions, an exposure visit to modern skill laboratories at Symbiosis Skill and Professional University, and a product exhibition showcasing best practices and locally developed JSS products. The Valedictory Session on January 20, 2026, will be addressed by senior Ministry officials, including Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, during which key outcomes and recommendations will be consolidated to guide future strengthening of the JSS Scheme.
